Tevez tells Maradona to let his head rule his heart when he takes over as Argentina boss

Carlos Tevez has warned new Argentina boss Diego Maradona to trust his head over his heart when he achieves his dream of coaching his country.

The Manchester United striker is seen as one of Maradona's favourites, with the World Cup '86 legend once declaring: 'Tevez is like a son to me.'

But the 24-year-old striker suggests no one should receive special treatment from the new man in charge.

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Big buddies: A portly Diego Maradona and Carlos Tevez embrace in 2004

'It is going to be difficult,' Tevez told Radio La Red. 'Diego should think more with his head and less with the heart that is now the head coach. I don't think it'll be easy because I know his temperament.

'It is hard to handle the squad as we are all stars in our clubs. It's awkward that he has to tell (Juan Roman) Riquelme, (Lionel) Messi and Tevez to stay focussed.

'We could not have a better motivation than having Diego as a coach. I think he'll want to come onto the pitch with us. I know him very well and I'm sure it'll be that way.

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'I'm very happy for him. It's going to be funny. I hope I can get a seat close to him on the bus. I'm imagining myself training under him in March.'

Maradona, 48, is set to be confirmed as boss next Tuesday once the Argentina FA have completed the appointing the team of coaches he will work with.

He will have to reinvigorate a group of players who have been heavily criticised in their homeland after winning just once in eight matches.

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Hands up (again): Maradona talks to reporters about his imminent appointment as Argentina boss

Tevez said: 'Today people are very critical. We don't like the things that they say about us. When I go to represent the national team, I'm going for the shirt, not for pieces of silver because Argentina don't pay us.'

Tevez felt the wrath of the fans when he was sent off in two consecutive World Cup qualifers: during the defeat to Colombia last November and in the draw with Paraguay this September.

But Maradona backed the former West Ham striker and said that Tevez would be happier if he had more love and assurances from the then national team coach Alfio Basile.

'Tevez needs to be more calm,' said Maradona following Tevez's second dismissal. 'All that he needs is security. Neither the captaincy nor anything special.'

Maradona could yet take charge of the friendly with Scotland in Glasgow on November 19, despite reports saying he will have only a watching brief.

Under 20 coach Sergio Batista is pencilled in to take charge of the friendly but has yet to confirm his place in the new regime.

Last week he suggested he would find it difficult to work under Maradona after being a contender for the top job.